7/22/2018 Timber Crater 6 Fire Update

Timber Crater 6 Fire Update

July 22, 2018

NW Incident Management Team (IMT) 9, Brian Goff, Incident Commander

Contact us at: TimberCrater6.2018@gmail.com  - Fire Information: 541-238-2084 (GoogleVoice) or 541-291-4158

Crater Lake National Park, OR: The Timber Crater 6 Fire is managed by Northwest Incident Management Team 9. At this morning’s operational briefing, Incident Commander Brian Goff emphasized that the objectives are to provide for public and firefighter safety, to protect high values at risk (life, property and critical infrastructure), and execute an aggressive full–suppression strategy to control the Timber Crater 6 Fire as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The Timber Crater 6 Fire now stands at 1190 acres and is zero percent contained. The incident is staffed with 340 firefighters and support personnel. Two helicopters are assigned to the fire.

Yesterday, firefighters conducted low-intensity burn operations on US Forest Service land to the east of this fire. Controlled burns consume fuels in the path of the fire. When the main fire reaches this burned area, there is no fuel to burn, stopping the fire. These burn operations will continue today, with the intent of stopping the fire’s wind-driven easterly progress towards Highway 97. Fire crews will then turn to the west and continue a direct attack to flank the fire and pinch off its progress. Firefighters are also doing the ground work to prepare for further burn operations along the north and south flanks to contain the fire.

Today, if available, two CL-415 amphibious water bomber planes will be used to slow the fires progress and support firefighters on the ground. The aircraft, both helicopters and bombers are dropping only water, and not fire retardants in the park.

Smoke from the many fires burning across the Northwest Region continues to flow into the Crater Lake National Park by prevailing winds. At times, this has resulted in reduced visibility and lower air quality. This pattern will continue until fires to the west of Crater Lake National Park can be extinguished, especially those in the Rogue-Siskyou National Forest. The Timber Crater 6 Fire and strategic burn operations have generated smoke, but the majority of the smoke visible in the park is from other fires in the region.

At this time the Timber Crater 6 Fire is not a threat to park attractions or to visitors. All areas in the Crater Lake National Park are open. There are no road closures related to the fire in the park. Please respect all park fire restrictions. Campfires are only allowed in designated campfire rings.

Weather conditions the region today may produce more active fire behavior. High temperatures will be in the 80s. Relative humidity in the teens, and wind speeds will be 5 to 10 miles per hour from the north, northwest. The probability of ignition indicates that a hot ember landing in dry grass or other fuels has a 68 percent chance of starting a fire in a shaded area, and a 100 percent chance of ignition if fuels are in direct sunlight.  No wetting rain is expected, but there is a slight chance for thunderstorms, which could generate lightning and possible erratic wind patterns.

An Emergency Forest Closure for portions of the Fremont-Winema National Forest remains in effect. The closure order and maps can be viewed at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/fremont-winema/news-events/

Fire managers want park guests to have a fun and safe experience in the Crater Lake National Park. Visitors should expect to see large firefighting apparatus on roadways. Please drive slowly and use caution as fire vehicles may stop in unexpected locations, and if backing, the operator of the equipment may not be able to see smaller passenger vehicles in their mirrors.